Planning granted for new
classrooms in local schools

Longford VEC has been granted planning permission to construct new classrooms and associated facilities at two of its vocational schools, with construction work due to begin over the coming months.

A new single storey annex comprising of two classrooms and toilet facilities will be built at Lanesboro Community College, which will be joined to the existing secondary school by means of a covered walkway. Meanwhile, an extension at Ardscoil Phádraig in Granard will see the campus gain a larger single storey structure which will comprise of four new classrooms and adjoining toilets, also connected to the main building by a covered walkway.

The new buildings at both schools will house teachers and pupils currently using temporary classroom accomodation. Both buildings will be A-frame structures and their design will be in keeping with the existing school buildings and environs.

Lanesboro Community College currently has 183 pupils and 24 staff. The new permanent building at the school will replace two prefab units, which will be removed from the site. Ardscoil Phádraig has a total of 207 pupils and 19 staff.

The planning permission for both developments was approved by Longford Co Council with eight conditions attached, dealing chiefly with the aesthetics of the structures, drainage, public health, traffic and pedestrian safety during construction, and sewerage.

Construction costs will be covered by grants from the Department of Education and Science. While it was hoped that these grants could facilitate complete upgrades of existing school facilities, the figures sanctioned mean this will now not happen.